History YMMV / JesusChristSuperstar

** The title song, which is sung by Judas's ghost, despite the rest of the play [[MaybeMagicMaybeMundane being careful to avoid any explicitly supernatural or miraculous elements]]. Confusingly, it's also the one scene in the play that is ostensibly set in the present, as indicated by the references to Islam and to modern means of mass communication, despite being placed in-between two scenes that are both set in Jesus's lifetime.

** The title song is sung by Judas's ghost, despite the rest of the play [[MaybeMagicMaybeMundane being careful to avoid any explicitly supernatural or miraculous elements]]. It's also the only scene in the play that is ostensibly shown out of chronological order, as the scene comes before the Crucifixion scene, yet Judas makes several references that imply this scene and only this scene to be set in the present, with Judas and Jesus meeting in the afterlife.

* DuelingMovies: ''Theatre/{{Godspell}}'' whose play and [[Film/{{Godspell}} movie]] came out the same years.
** ''Music/{{Johnny Cash}}'s ''Film/{{Gospel Road}}'' would qualify too, as that was another 1973 musical release about Jesus with Mary Magdalene being a central character. Said release was also filmed in Israel.

* InformedAbility: It's a RunningGag that a few versions of Jesus are played by tall actors, such as John Legend. That makes it hilarious when Pilate says he was literally ExpectingSomeoneTaller. What, are they expecting a giant?

** If he's willingly betraying Jesus, or God is manipulating him, perhaps doing MoreThanMindControl. After all, during "DamnedFor All Time," Judas keeps singing, "I really didn't come here of my own accord." Maybe it's that God had to offer a little bit of persuasion to have his death.

** Judas in the 2012 version turns away from Jesus after betraying him with a kiss. While Jesus sings, he pulls Judas in a hug, showing all is forgiven because neither of them could fight fate. When the guards move in to arrest Jesus, Judas returns the hug and holds onto him tightly. His expression is screaming instant regret and trying to protect the friend he just betrayed. The guards have to physically pull Judas off and warn him not to interfere in their arrest.

*** Mary's attitude in "Everything's All Right" can come off as her breaking up the fight between Jesus and Judas over if she's allowed, or as a prostitute being all too used to angry men as her customers. Perhaps there is some AdultFear that she has seen what happens when you don't keep the peace in a dangerous profession; this in fact makes her a {{Foiil}} to Judas. She keeps giving looks to Jesus that she's not worth it in the 2018 version, and telling Judas that they can afford to relax for one night.

** Pontius Pilate was also given some different perspective. In the musical he ''does not want'' to execute Jesus, thinking he is just another nut case who doesn't deserve death, and is utterly baffled why the mob wants him killed. He only goes through with the execution because he was given no other choice.

*** The 1973 version has him be more sad and solemn about it.
*** The Gospel of John, from where this scene is taken, says that Judas didn't actually care about the poor but [[{{Hypocrite}} only wanted to steal the money]], as he was their treasurer. In the musical there's no indication he is anything but sincere.

* SugarWiki/HeartwarmingMoments: Judas in the 2012 version turns away from Jesus after betraying him with a kiss. While Jesus sings, he pulls Judas in a hug, showing all is forgiven because neither of them could fight fate. When the guards move in to arrest Jesus, Judas returns the hug and holds onto him tightly. His expression is screaming instant regret and trying to protect the friend he just betrayed. The guards have to physically pull Judas off and warn him not to interfere in their arrest.

** The 2000 version seemed to do this as blatantly as possible (some would say it was turned UpToEleven). All the apostles wore tight ripped shirts, leather pants, and ''very'' frequently caressed and hugged each other. While the women all wore pretty modest ankle length dresses and their hair held in a ratty bun.
*** To compare, in the 1973 version Judas' kiss of betrayal is Judas sneaking up from behind, giving Jesus a very quick light peck on the cheek. In the 2000 version, the two are looking each other directly in the eyes while crying. Then Judas gives him a ''deep, long, smooch'' and Jesus responds by briefly wrapping his arms around him before Judas pushes him off.

* Norm Lewis as Caiaphas was greeted by thunderous applause at his entrance in the 2018 live special.

* EnsembleDarkhorse:

** Alice Cooper as King Herod in the 1996 and 2018 versions, on the basis of-- oh, who are we kidding, he's Alice [[BadassInANiceSuit Cooper]] [[VillainSong as Herod]]!

* [[SugarWiki/HeReallyCanAct She Really Can Act]]: Former Music/{{Spice Girl|s}} Melanie C. surprised a ''lot'' of people with her powerful-yet-vulnerable [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8azdnR2fQus portrayal of Mary Magdalene]] on the UK Arena Tour.

*** In "The 39 Lashes", Pilate is often depicted as turning more and more discomfited and agitated as he [[PunctuatedPounding counts the lashes out loud]]. In the original album, he counts them out coldly.

* SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic: The soundtrack topped the charts ''before'' the play came out.

** "Superstar"

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* GeniusBonus: The tanks that chase Judas just before ''Blood Money'', they were ''Centurions''.

* DuelingMovies: ''Film/{{Godspell}}'' was filmed and released around the same time.

** Alice Cooper as King Herod in the 1996 and 2018 versions, on the basis of-- oh, who are we kidding, he's [[CrazyAwesome Alice]] [[BadassInANiceSuit Cooper]] [[VillainSong as Herod]]!

** Peter for the 1973 film.

** ''Creator/{{Johnny Cash}}'s ''Film/{{Gospel Road}}'' could qualify too, as that was also a 1973 musical release about Jesus with Mary Magdalene being a central character. Said release was also filmed in Israel.

** ''Creator/{{Johnny Cash}}'s ''Film/{Gospel Road}}'' could qualify too, as that was also a 1973 musical release about Jesus with Mary Magdalene being a central character. Said release was also filmed in Israel.